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The Matador (2005)

R  |   |  Comedy, Crime, Drama  |  27 January 2006 (USA)
6.8
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Ratings: 6.8/10 from 39,624 users   Metascore: 65/100
Reviews: 234 user | 191 critic | 36 from Metacritic.com

A globetrotting hitman and a crestfallen businessman meet in a hotel bar in Mexico City in an encounter that draws them together in a way neither expected.

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Title: The Matador (2005)

The Matador (2005) on IMDb 6.8/10

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Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 5 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Arlin Miller ...
Radio DJ (voice)
Azucena Medina ...
...
Wiveca Bonerais ...
...
...
...
...
Genevive
...
Skinny Mexican Man
...
Hotel Bartender 1
Ramon Alvarez ...
Shooting Stand Owner
Luz Maria Molina ...
School Girl
...
Carolyn Horwitz ...
Cantina Turista #1
Edit

Storyline

A chance encounter between a travelling salesman and a lonely hitman triggers a strangely profound relationship which provokes each to act in ways neither would have imagined possible. Fate steps in to form a friendship between two men from irreconcilable worlds that will alter the lives of both forever. Written by Arclight Films

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

hitman | mexico city | bar | mexico | luck | See All (291) »

Taglines:

A hitman and a salesman walk into a bar...


Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content and language | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

| |

Language:

|

Release Date:

27 January 2006 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Matador  »

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$92,312 (USA) (30 December 2005)

Gross:

$12,570,442 (USA) (17 March 2006)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

|

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was shot in just 40 days in and around Mexico City. See more »

Goofs

When Julian and Danny are at the bullfight, Danny is wearing a light blue shirt and khaki pants. Afterwards when they're both having a drink at the outdoor cafe, Danny appears to be wearing a yellow button down shirt under his jacket with dark blue pants. The scene immediately after, when Danny is sitting on the floor listening to a message from his partner, he is back to wearing the light blue shirt and khaki pants. See more »

Quotes

Hotel Bartender 1: How you here for business or pleasure, sir?
Julian Noble: My business is my pleasure.
See more »

Crazy Credits

"The filmmakers do not condone bullfighting, but respect its long tradition in the Mexican culture. It was extremely important to the producers that no bulls were harmed because of the production of 'The Matador'. In no way did the producers of this film create, arrange or organize any of the bullfights seen within this movie. Sequences staged by the producers employed fake and computer-generated bulls exclusively. Absolutely no animals were harmed by the production of this movie." See more »


Soundtracks

Bandido
Written by Daniel Indart
Performed by Mariachi La Estrella
Courtesy of LMS Records
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
All sass and no blood; movie shows Pierce Brosnan's comedic flair
16 November 2005 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

"The Matador" stars Pierce Brosnan as a burned out assassin. He's James Bond gone to seed, in too-tight, garish clothes, gold chains, and an ugly haircut. Our struggling assassin, Julian Noble, is in Mexico, trying to regain his nerve. Staying at the same hotel is a likable, down-on-his luck businessman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear), also trying to regain his equilibrium. Danny is desperate to close a deal and return to his wife in Denver (Hope Davis) with good news.

Noble and Wright unexpectedly become friends. Wright convinces Noble to reveal certain techniques, which he demonstrates at a bullfight. Noble is eventually targeted by his employers and shows up in Denver.

Writer and director Richard Shepard did the Q&A after this delightful movie at the Austin Film Festival. Shepard was also down on his luck. After suffering the loss of his agent and rejection of recent scripts, he decided to write a story no one would buy and create a character no one would want to play. Then Pierce Brosnan called. Brosnan regains his equilibrium in this movie. (There is life after Bond!) He has a wonderful flair for self-deprecating comedy. Don't miss it.

Stay for the closing credits to read what the filmmakers say about bullfighting. I look forward to more of Richard Shepard's projects.


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